Village Ordinance To Cool Ice Cream Trucks' Music

June 17, 1994|By Yvette Shields.

University Park — For most kids, the musical sound of the ice cream truck headed their way can be the high note of a hot summer day.

University Park officials say that kids are often too busy pulling out their money and deciding between a Fudgesicle or a malt cup, to think: "that music is annoying" or "I should have looked first before I charged into the middle of the street."

But the University Park Village Board is thinking just that.

So the board has passed a new ordinance, requiring that the noise levels on ice cream trucks meet standard village noise levels and that the music be stopped once the truck is parked to take orders.

"Safety is the main issue," said Village Manager Michael Grubermann. "Other towns have had accidents, and we're not interested in having any. We're taking a proactive approach instead of a reactive one."

In addition to the safety concerns, the village has received complaints from residents annoyed by the music's volume and its continuing play while the trucks are stopped on the street with a crowd of customers.

The ordinance also requires trucks to pull over to the right curb before servicing customers. Trucks must also display an armed caution sign, similiar to those on school buses, that traffic can see from both directions.